dog
that scents a bone near by.

"Sit down, George. I'm going to make you a pot of coffee such as you
never tasted in all your life," said Will at this juncture.

The negro turned his eyes upon him gratefully. He might be a
ne'er-do-well, and a genuine nuisance around the town on the river where
he had grown up, but to the generous-hearted lads from the North he was
only a poor hungry human being, and fortune had been very good to them.

"And I'll cook him some bacon. I bet it's been a long time since he put a
bit between his teeth," declared Bluff, wishing to be in the game.

"Good for you, boys! I think, myself, that this old fellow may have been
more sinned against than sinning; though perhaps he's wise in wanting
to make a change of base since they're all down on him around here. We
ought to show our thanks for the many favors that have been showered on
us, and the best way to do it is to help some less fortunate fellow."

"Talk to me about your Good Samaritan! We've got several of 'em right
here in this camp, and as I don't want to be left out in the cold, I'm
going to make George here a present of that shirt I took such a dislike
to. He won't mind the objectionable color, I reckon," spoke up Jerry.

The black man sat there, grinning from ear to ear. He could hardly
believe his hearing. These campers, whom he had at first feared were
there to drag him back to town, so that he might afford sport for the
young hotbloods, had turned out to be the only friends he had known for
many a day.

He tried to express his gratitude, but, of course, stumbled so that they
told him they were ready to take it all for granted.

When the meal was ready he ate until he could contain no more. Jerry
watched him with a queer expression on his face, and for once he realized
how near starvation a human being may get at times.

At the same time, George was a bit uneasy. He kept looking around, as
though he feared lest others might appear who would not be so kindly
disposed toward him. Hence, after he had finished his supper, he showed a
disposition to depart, telling them that he had a shack in the swamp.

Frank did not attempt to hinder him, for he saw that the man could not
wholly get over his suspicion that there might be some trick back of this
generous hospitality. George had evidently been educated in the belief
that no one ever assisted a black man unless he had an ax to grind.

Before he went they gave him some bacon and